Egypt’s real estate heavyweight, Palm Hills Developments, is setting its sights beyond Cairo. With its first development in the United Arab Emirates, the company is targeting more than $7 billion in sales, a bold move signaling its ambitions to become a major player in Gulf real estate.
The flagship project located near the prestigious Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi marks a major milestone: the first time Palm Hills steps outside Egypt. The venture, named Saadiyat Shores, could reshape its identity from a national to a regional developer, potentially redefining its footprint across the Middle East.
Palm Hills is planning an ambitious development spanning 1.87 million m² adjacent to Saadiyat Island one of Abu Dhabi’s most sought‑after addresses. The project reportedly includes about 620 villas and 1,000 apartments, built across three interconnected “islands”: Zen Island, Reef Isle (with a marina), and Wellness Island.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, with first deliveries roughly three to three-and-a-half years afterward. The development cost is estimated at around AED 14 billion (excluding land value), underpinning the scale and ambition of the plan.
The $7 billion sales expectation reflects confidence in demand from a global buyer base not only from the Gulf, but also from Europe, Asia, the U.S. and even Egypt.
Palm Hills isn’t entering this bold venture lightly. In 2025 the company has already shown robust performance in its core Egyptian market:
This momentum gives the company the financial confidence and market credibility to pursue an ambitious Gulf expansion.
Abu Dhabi is just the beginning. Palm Hills has already set up a subsidiary inside Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), and a fully‑owned company in Abu Dhabi signaling long‑term regional commitment.
The company is also exploring potential developments in Dubai and Saudi Arabia, eyeing opportunities in Riyadh and Jeddah.
In Saudi Arabia, Palm Hills has previously partnered with local firms to explore mixed-use real estate and even international‑standard educational infrastructure indicating the company’s ambition to blend real estate with lifestyle and services in Gulf markets.
For potential buyers whether expatriates, Gulf residents, or international investors Saadiyat Shores could offer luxury living at a globally attractive location. The mix of villas, apartments, a marina, and wellness‑focused architecture across a premium waterfront island gives a rare combination of lifestyle and investment potential that resonates with global buyers.
For investors in Palm Hills, the Gulf venture represents diversification beyond Egypt’s economic cycles. The success of this mega‑project could transform Palm Hills into a regional real estate powerhouse unlocking access to higher value markets, diversified revenue streams, and long‑term growth.
For Gulf real estate markets, this signals growing confidence from Egyptian developers in Gulf demand. It may increase competition but also raises the bar for quality and scale of developments.
Ambitious as the plan is, there are challenges. The success hinges on approvals, financing from UAE banks, and execution constructing 1.87 million m² across multiple islands is complex. Meeting demand from a global buyer base will require marketing, compliance with diverse regulations, and delivering high‑quality finish and amenities.
Moreover, political or economic shifts in Gulf countries interest rates, currency fluctuations, regulation changes can affect demand, especially from international buyers. Palm Hills will need to balance ambition with resilience and flexibility.
Palm Hills’ push into Abu Dhabi with a $7 billion‑scale project marks a new chapter. It reflects not just ambition, but a confidence born out of strong domestic performance.
If successful, this move could redefine Palm Hills from a leading Egyptian developer to a Gulf‑wide real estate force. It could open doors not only in the UAE but elsewhere across the region.
More broadly, this expansion offers a template and inspiration: companies from MENA‑region markets can scale beyond borders, blend local strengths with global ambition, and reshape regional real estate landscapes.
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